Hysteroscopy

I had one done privately - I wanted to try and tough it out but my consultant very strongly advised me to have a GA. I'm not sure he would have carried out the procedure without it.

Same here. Two ibuprofen beforehand and I honestly found it fine, not even uncomfortable if I'm honest. My gynaecologist did a hysteroscopy, biopsy, polyp removal and put in a Mirena at the same time, and I barely felt it.

It's fascinating how different women react to this procedure, but of course pain relief should be offered as a choice. My gynaecologist gave me a choice of GA or going without, saying that he thought because I'd had three babies vaginally I should be fine, but if I'd wanted a GA I could've had one, no question. This is in Ireland.

I was really pleased to see the aforementioned campaign after reading this recent article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7498yvvjvgo.amp

There should be a choice of pain relief offered. The guidelines need changing.

I had a hysteroscopy recently, was absolutely terrified to be honest, had read all the horror stories etc, in the end I found it to absolutely fine it was very much like a smear. Did suffer cramps a week or so afterwards but no different to my usual period cramps (which are horrendous anyway)
Also had a friend who had one before me and found it fine too, we only had painkillers beforehand.

I appreciate everyone will have a different experience and I count myself lucky I didn't find it that unpleasant!

Not all women find them painful. I've had 2 both with biopsies taken, the first with no pain relief at all, the second I took 2 ibuprofen. They were uncomfortable but not painful, I drove home afterwards. I would not have wanted general anaesthetic.

Oh and I only had the co codamol because it was in my bag, I was offered absolutely nothing by them

I've had two. I have a high pain threshold (thanks to years of endo and adenomyosis) and took two 30/500 co codamol in advance of one, yet still squealed throughout. The other one was private and fine with a general

The NHS is frankly barbaric when it comes to women's healthcare

I should have had one last week but I refused. I’m not going to be prodded about with jtst paracetamol. Asked GP for diazepam but was refused. Think it’s appalling that adequate pain relief is t offered to all and seems to vary by hospital.

Thank you for starting this thread. Am currently on the fast track pathway. Discussed concerns about the endometrial biopsy with the referring GP as smears are really hard as my cervix is in a difficult position and hard to find, even by specialist staff, have become more painful post-menopause. I turned up expecting a hysteroscopy, but they attempted the biopsy without the camera. However clinician A couldn't find my cervix. They summoned clinician B who found it but couldn't force their way into my cervix, even with one of them pressing on my stomach, whilst the other pushed. They abandoned the procedure. I have now been summoned back for a hysteroscopy. I phoned to try and arrange sedation, but was told this was not available. I asked about a GA but was told to keep the original appointment. I said I was concerned this was just adding to the lead time. It's not a great position to be in.

I’ve had four, all with a general, three privately and one on the NHS.

I had one … the consultant offered me the choice of having it done there and then in out-patients, or, having it done under a general. There was no pressure from him, and I decided in the anaesthetic.

As it was, I ended up with a spinal and sedation. Didn’t feel a thing.

I had a hystoscopy with a spinal anaesthetic in the NHS. Absolutely refused to have it done without that or a general (complex health issues, ptsd from birth trauma etc). They were - thankfully - very understanding and booked me in with no issue. But I do feel it should be routinely offered; without women having to ask for it.

I had a local anaesthetic for an NHS hysteroscopy, and removal of a polyp. The gynaecologist and nurse were lovely. There was strong cramping, quite painful but not unbearable, and I did find that using relaxation techniques helped me. Afterwards I went to a recovery lounge and had tea and biscuits. All the staff were professional and kind. I would always choose local anaesthetic over a general, the recovery is so much quicker. I didn't feel violated, the team were all female and the surgery was necessary.

@HotTopicsWithImogen Its the reason i wont have one even though they want me to. Even with GA some women have experienced permanent damage including incontinence and damage to sexual function.
Womens anatomy is not studied enough by the medical profession

I agree. I had one with a local but I had done my research and knew there was a possibility it would be bad before I went in. I got through it but only with the support of the amazing nursing staff. I was extremely close to asking them to stop on more than one occasion and had to be taken to lie down to recover afterwards as I couldn't stop shaking.

A friend of mine had no idea what it involved and she found the whole experience traumatic.

Co-codamol an hour before and a local in cervix, not pleasant, but no pain. I don't know if I was just lucky or the local was adequate.

Breathe through the pain is bullshit and I am glad there is a campaign now.
After experiencing just a brief and painful investigation, after which I had dreadful cramps, I insisted on having my hysteroscopy and biopsy with a spinal.
i hope all women do that now, it is unbelievably misogynistic to prod about inside us without pain relief.

I had one without anaesthetic - just ibuprofen an hour before. They had to stop part way through because I almost passed out and reschedule with anaesthetic. And I don't even live in the UK!! I recently had another one and as soon as the subject was mentioned I said with anaesthetic please!

Yer i had this with biopsies taken and it was horrendous and the doctor was very unsympathetic and clearly was annoyed with me for not being able to ‘ breath through the pain’

I honestly found my local anaesthetic hysteroscopy totally fine. I walked home from the hospital after (about 5km). I had a similar procedure under GA and felt groggy for days after. General is not the best for everyone.